For Bainbridge Youth Market Manager Robin Guterson, the weekly gathering of school-age vendors she oversees isn’t about the hard sell.
“It’s very relaxed, very informal, just how I think it should be,” Guterson said.
Guterson’s older kids loved participating in farmers markets when they were young, and she liked the idea of re-creating that experience for her younger one and for other island youth.
Last year, that became a possibility when Linda Brandt, owner of the parking lot off Madrone Lane, just above Mora Iced Creamery, offered the use of her lot for no charge each Saturday. She even chipped in two tents and offered to cover the endeavor under her insurance.
The market opened in September 2008, following the same schedule as the farmers market up the hill. All vendors were high school age or younger, and all wares were made by the sellers. There was also a garden exchange for home-grown plants.
Through the subsequent year, anywhere from five to 17 kids, ages eight to 17, have set up each Saturday morning to sell everything from jewelry to bath salts to lavender wands to catnip toys to mobiles.
One girl makes hula hoops. Another sells “Cupcakes for Cancer” – cupcake-shaped jewelry – and donates all proceeds to the American Cancer Society.
High-school twins Ali and Joli Larsen-Holmes are youth market regulars who sell jewelry and pottery; they’ve been participating in area farmers markets since fifth grade. Making sales can be really fun, Ali said. Some days sales are good, and some days she and Joli don’t make back what they put in to materials. But they always enjoy the process, in particular catching up with friends and interacting with customers.
It’s friendly and non-competitive, and the older kids look out for the younger ones. Guterson said that in addition to fun, the market offers kids great life lessons in dealing with the public, and dealing with the cycle of commerce.
“It’s just very pleasurable to make something or to grow something, and to sell it,” Guterson said. “I think it’s human nature. It’s very satisfying in that regard to have someone admire something you created and offer you money for it.”
Guterson said that with virtually no publicity, the market has grossed $8,000 over 21 events, an impressive testament to the sellers’ creativity, ingenuity and charm. But she’s clear about the distinction between the satisfaction of a sale and the lure of big bucks. Because big bucks aren’t the goal.
“I really like that the kids who don’t make a lot of money keep coming back, because they just enjoy it. They just have really good attitudes,” Guterson said.
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Just down the hill
The Bainbridge Youth Market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays off Madrone Lane. New vendors welcome. See www.bainbridgeyouthmarket.com.
